Welcome to Our Studio

At Studio D, we are dedicated to providing exceptional dance education. Our professional staff fosters an environment that encourages growth, skill development, and self-confidence. Beyond dance, our program aims to expose students to art, music, and theatre, inspiring a deeper appreciation of the arts in every student.

For over 30 years, Studio D School of Dance has proudly made its home in the historic Shuerman Opera House in Downtown Griffin.

Built in 1870, this remarkable building originally housed Shuerman’s Theatre, which presented plays until 1894. The renovated facility now boasts one of the largest and finest dance spaces in the state, featuring two expansive dance rooms on the ground floor and a second-floor ballet room with an impressive 18-foot ceiling and a 35-by-55-foot floor space.

Meet our Director: Mitch Flanders

Artistic Director/Owner & Founding Artistic Director of Griffin Ballet Theatre

Mitch Flanders began his dance journey at the Atlanta Ballet and earned a scholarship at the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City. Upon graduation, he joined the Eglevsky Ballet under Edward Villella, performing lead roles in numerous Balanchine ballets such as "Serenade," "Four Temperaments," "Allegro Brillante," and "Swan Lake" with NYC Ballet principal dancer Allegra Kent.

He later joined the Chicago City Ballet under Maria Tallchief, frequently dancing with Suzanne Farrell. Notably, he played the prince in Paul Mejia's "Cinderella" and appeared with Farrell in PBS's "Eight By Adler." Flanders was also a featured guest dancer with the Lyric Opera.

As a principal dancer with the Los Angeles Ballet, Flanders performed across the U.S. with stars like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland and internationally in Rome, Paris, Berlin, and Vienna. At the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, he shared the stage with renowned vocalists, including Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, appearing in "Live at the Met" and the Lyric Opera of Chicago's "Eugene Onegin."

Flanders has taught at The New Jersey Ballet School, New Dance Studio NYC, and Providence Ballet and served as ballet master for The Ballet Rotaru of Atlanta, the Georgia Ballet, and The Rock School. He was also a grant panelist for the Georgia Council for the Arts for three years.

For the past 26 years, Flanders has owned Studio D School of Dance and served as Artistic Director of the Griffin Ballet Theatre and Festival Dance Camp at the University of Georgia. At GBT, he has created and staged numerous full-length ballets, including "Peter Pan," "Robin Hood," "Coppelia," "Cinderella," "The Little Mermaid," "The Armed Man," "The Love Project," and the beloved "Nutcracker." Under his leadership, many Studio D dancers have gained admission to prestigious institutions such as the American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, The Rock School, Joffrey Ballet, and the Georgia Governor's Honors Scholarship Programs.

Meet Our Esteemed Faculty: Guiding the Next Generation of Dancers

Ashley Barnes

Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Early Childhood Director & Griffin Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director & Ballet Mistress

Ashley began her dance training under Mitch Flanders 29 years ago and has been a valued member of The Griffin Ballet Theatre for 25 years, holding roles such as principal dancer and Ballet Mistress. Currently, she serves as the Artistic Director of Griffin Ballet Theatre, allowing her to contribute creatively to the company.

For the past 18 years, Ashley has taught at Studio D and has been the Director and ballet instructor at Festival Dance, a prestigious program affiliated with UGA, for 14 years. She has also served as an adjudicator for the Georgia Governor's Honors Scholarship Program.

Continuing her dance education under Mitch Flanders and various instructors in Atlanta, Ashley has performed as a guest artist with companies such as City Gate, Phyzix Urban Dance Theater, and Lamorris Namari. Her notable roles include Cinderella, Firebird, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Giselle, and Swanhilda in Coppelia, along with iconic characters like the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Wendy in Peter Pan, Sugarplum in Nutcracker, and Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty.

Beyond dance, Ashley has ventured into commercial modeling, music videos, and choreography for local churches. She has also collaborated with the drama departments of Spalding and Griffin High Schools, choreographing for their theatrical plays.

Dara Wells

Jazz and Tap Instructor & "Balance & Grace" Yoga Instructor

Dara, born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, is a versatile dancer trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, and Broadway Theatre. She began her professional dance career at sixteen with the Gary Harrison Dance Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and has performed in music videos, industrial shows, dance conventions, and even a Superbowl halftime show.

A graduate of Northside High School Performing Arts, Dara received scholarships to Florida State University and Brenau University. She toured internationally for seven years as a backup dancer for James Brown on the Godfather of Soul Tour. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Dara has instructed and choreographed for students aged three to adult in various settings, including studios, high school performing arts programs, and college classes across the southeastern United States. Her choreography is best described as a fusion of different styles, reflecting her love for movement and expression.

As a teacher, Dara emphasizes discipline, technique, and willingness to evolve as an artist. She also serves as a certified yoga instructor, recovery empowerment specialist, and wellness coach, sharing her passion for personal discovery, awareness, and growth with others.

Elise Wright

Musical Theatre Director

Elise began her theatrical training at thirteen in her hometown of Griffin, Georgia, studying dance and musical theatre at Studio D School of Dance. She was an active member of the local arts community, dancing with the Griffin Ballet Theatre, producing outreach shows and school productions, teaching dance and theatrical classes, and performing, choreographing, and stage managing for the Main Street Players. She graduated from Spalding High School with honors and the GADoE Fine Arts Diploma Seal in 2018.

Elise graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, where she was involved in almost all of the college's theatrical productions and received multiple awards for her work. She currently teaches middle school drama in Butts County.

Blair Thompson

Music Director and Voice Teacher

Blair is a talented mezzo-soprano with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA, and a Master’s in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. With 14 years of teaching experience, Blair has a rich background in teaching middle and high school chorus, theatre, and special education. Her passion for the arts extends beyond the classroom. She has coordinated outreach productions for various organizations, including Griffin Ballet Theatre, bringing the joy of performance to a broader community.

Currently residing in Henry County with her husband and three children, Blair continues to inspire young minds as a middle school chorus and theatre teacher. Her commitment to her students and the arts is evident in every aspect of her work, fostering a love for music and theatre that will last a lifetime. Through her leadership and expertise, she continues to significantly impact the performing arts scene in her community.

Brie Jones

Early Childhood Instructor

Brie started dancing at Studio D School of Dance in January 2014. Coming from a background in MMA, where she earned a first-degree black belt, her transition to ballet was smooth. By August 2014, Brie became a Griffin Ballet Theatre Company member. In 2017, she began training with Ms. Ashley as a teaching assistant and started teaching early childhood dance classes in 2020. She will continue her role as a teaching assistant with Griffin Ballet Theatre during the 2024-2025 season.

Throughout her dance career with Griffin Ballet Theatre, Brie has performed in productions such as Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, The Love Project, Ghosts, Peter Pan, and Coppelia. She also has extensive experience in stage management and props, having assisted with Spalding High School's productions of South Pacific and Hairspray and Griffin High School. A 2020 honor graduate from Lamar County High School, Brie is pursuing a Global Studies degree at Georgia State University while contributing to the local arts community.

Evie Harrington

Early Childhood Ballet Combo Instructor

Evie’s love of dance started at 4 when she began training at Studio D School of Dance. Evie has studied ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theatre, as well as many other styles, but remains most dedicated to ballet. She has been a company member of the Griffin Ballet Theatre since 2016 and has performed in all company productions. While she treasured each role she had danced, Evie was incredibly excited to dance the roles of Clara in The Nutcracker in 2019, Dew Drop in 2023, and The Princess in The Little Mermaid in 2024. Evie studied for a year with the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and has attended Festival Dance Camp each Summer for the past seven years.

In 2021, Evie began assisting dance classes at Studio D School of Dance and loved helping young dancers become stronger and more confident in their skills while creatively expressing themselves. When she is not dancing, you can find Evie hanging out with her toy poodle, Bean, and volunteering to help needy animals.

Isabella Matey

Beginner Level II and Level III Tap Instructor

Isabella Matey is a senior in high school who has been training as a dancer for the past 14 years. She has danced at Studio D for 12 of them, developing a love for many forms of dance, including jazz, tap, and ballet. In 2016, she was invited to join Griffin Ballet Theater. Since joining, she has danced in numerous shows such as Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, The Love Project, Ghosts, The Addams Family, Peter Pan, American in Paris, and The Little Mermaid. In 2021, she began training as an assistant dance teacher at Studio D under Ms. Ashley.

Throughout her dance journey, tap has always held a special place in Isabella's heart, and she hopes to inspire her students to find their own love for art in the coming year.

Ema Maxedon

Class Substitute Teacher & Studio Photographer

Ema plays a dual role at Studio D School of Dance, serving as the studio's photographer and a substitute teacher. With a keen eye for capturing the beauty and grace of dance, she ensures that every performance and class is documented with stunning photography. Her versatility and dedication make her an invaluable substitute teacher, ready to step in and support the students whenever needed.

As the studio photographer, Ema specializes in capturing the essence of each dancer's journey from practice to performance. Her photos not only document the progress of our students but also highlight the vibrant and dynamic environment of Studio D. As a substitute teacher, Ema brings her passion for dance and extensive knowledge to each class, ensuring that the studio's high standards are always maintained.

Ema is currently enrolled at the University of West Georgia in the Speech-Language Pathology Program

Jeri Maxedon

Front Desk Administrator

With a passion for the arts and years of experience as a Studio D dance mom (we love Ms. Ema!), Ms. Jeri Maxedon brings a unique blend of organization, and enthusiasm to her role as the Front Desk Administrator at Studio D. Having spent countless hours behind the scenes, Jeri understands the importance of creating a supportive and welcoming environment for dancers and their families. She is committed to ensuring that every interaction at the studio is smooth and enjoyable, from registration to recital day.

In addition to her deep connection to the dance world, Jeri has built successful careers as both a licensed REALTOR® and a marketing graphic designer. Her work in real estate has honed her skills in client relations, organization, and attention to detail, while her background in graphic design allows her to bring a creative flair to everything she does, from studio communications to event promotions.

Whether you need assistance with scheduling, have questions about studio policies, or just want to chat about the latest dance trends, Jeri is here to help with a smile. She’s excited to be part of the Studio D team and to continue fostering a love of dance in the community she cherishes.